LAGOS/Nigeria: The recent extrajudicial killing of a Nigerian by men of Custom Services had been condemned by the Committee for the Defence Human Rights, CDHR, and said that such actions are against the law of the country.
Reacting to the incident, the committee in a press release, signed by the National President, Malachy Ugwummadu, and made available to Ndokwa Reporters, said Extra Judicial killings are grave human rights violation under our laws where citizens are deprived of their human rights to life against provision of the constitution.
“CDHR vehemently condemns the recent extrajudicial killing of a Nigerian citizen by an official of the Nigerian Customs Service. From all accounts, the unfortunate incident arose from the alleged refusal of the victim to part with a paltry N5,000 (Five Thousand Naira) bribe or gratification. In the video evidence available, gunshots were heard with the footage of the victim lying on the road in a pool of his blood.”
“Extra judicial killings are grave human rights violations under our laws where citizens are illegally deprived of their rights to life against the express provision of Section 33 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (As Amended).”
“These incidents often involve police officers, military and paramilitary personnels who readily disown and describe their victims as a criminal caught in their nefarious acts. In many other cases, the incident is hastily described as cases of “accidental discharge” as alluded to in the press statement released by the Nigerian Customs Service on this matter.”
“Such accusations are, in no way, sufficient reasons to deprive a Nigerian of his or her right to life without strict adherence to the rule of law. The only time when a person can be legally deprived of his right to life is in execution of a sentence validly passed by a court of law.
“This violent breach of the right to life of the deceased was neither in their efforts to suppress any insurrection or riot, nor in defence of any person from unlawful violence or for the defence of property which are the only known exceptions to the constitutionally guaranteed right to life.”
“Extra judicial killings not only go against the grain of our local laws but it also offend the principles of international law provided for in statutes such as the African Charter of Human and People’s Rights.”
“In our society today, the rate of extra judicial killings has occasioned loss of faith in the security apparatus of our country. This does not, in any way, augur well for the peaceful development of our country but instead encourage people to take laws into their own hands as a solution to their defenselessness against perpetrators of such crimes.”
“Rather than dismiss these incidents as accidents, attempts deliberate and conscious efforts must be made to ensure that such human rights abuses are curtailed. The CDHR therefore calls for a proper probe into this matter in the interest of justice. Such must come with a verdict leading to prosecution and possible conviction to serve as deterrent.”
